From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Letter from supplier Peto and Radford about problems with sealing battery cells as previously instructed, causing acid leakage.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 38\5\ Scan360 | |
| Date | 30th March 1925 | |
| COPY. PETO AND RADFORD., 50, GROSVENOR GARDENS, LONDON.S.W.1. Our Ref. M/5. March 30th 1925. Messrs. Rolls Royce Ltd., DERBY. Dear Sirs, You may remember that some months ago there was correspondence between us, about having the cells in the batteries entirely separate and not having the sealing compound run all over them so as to make a solid top. You will remember that you instructed us that it was your wish that this should be done, but we said we did not recommend it. Two or three instances have already come to our notice where your customers have drawn our attention to the mess that these batteries get into. There is a slight gap between each cell and acid has got down here and rotted the base of the box. It is impossible to remove the acid or get at it in any way. We have to put on a new base, and would naturally have to charge for it, although we have not done so in the instances referred to because it seems such bad luck on the owner being called upon to pay something for an almost new battery. You will agree, however, that we cannot go on doing this and we would ask you to reconsider your decision. Whatever precautions are taken, acid is bound to be spilt or slopped over and directly it gets down between the cells nothing can be done to get it out. We can really see no advantage in not sealing the cells, and there seems to us to be this serious drawback which we rather fancy we pointed out at the time. We would be very much obliged if you would give this matter your attention again because we think that what we have decided upon is a backward step. Yours faithfully, PETO AND RADFORD. (Sgd) G.R.N. Minchin. | ||